Free Book Friday July 21: In Conversation With Poet Bobbie Isabel

Thursday Thoughts Weekend Wrap-up July 22: Writing Update

Free Book Friday July 21: In Conversation With Poet Bobbie Isabel

Putting together interviews is a lot of work. Trying to get authors to interview is just as difficult, which is why I have been using AI to … just kidding.*

Let’s jump right in to some human interaction, shall we?

In Conversation With: Bobbie Isabel

Today I have the pleasure of sitting down with author Bobbie Isabel. Thanks for dropping by. Can I offer you anything to drink?

A rum and diet, please. Oh, not that kind of drink? Just water then.

Oh, we can do rum. I don’t know how you can do it with diet though I think it tastes funny.

I refuse to drink my calories, other than the alcohol.

Fair enough. Let’s jump into it, shall we?
Poetry. It’s crazy stuff isn’t it?

Actually, it curbs my crazy. Poetry is like therapy for me. I get out all of my angst and frustrations in my poes.

I agree. Much of my poetry was therapeutic, but now it’s just fun to write.

Oh yeah, I can definitely have some fun with it too.

What was the first poem you wrote?

HA! When I was maybe 12 or 14, I wrote a poem that was published in my school’s yearbook titled Friends and Strangers. Oddly enough, if I think long enough, I still have it memorized, which is ridiculous!

You know you have to share it now …

It went something like: Some may call me stranger/to others I’m a friend/To those of you who don’t believe/for you this poem will end/For those of you who care to listen/do you understand me yet/

In this world there are no strangers/Just friends you haven’t met

[clapping]

Bravo.
You drew a lot of inspiration from the places you visited when you wrote the Travalogue in poetry. What else inspires you to write?

I find inspiration in so many things and places. Sometimes I see something or hear a word, and it triggers and emotion. Those emotions manifest in verse. Other times, I see a prompt, and a phrase pops into my head. The poem writes itself from there.

I like how some poems take on a life of their own.

They are often some of the best!

Are you an avid reader?

When I was a kid, I read voraciously, as an escape. Now, I’m struggling to find balance between work, writing and reading. There don’t seem to be enough hours!

Do you have a favorite book?

I used to say it was Stephen King’s The Stand because it was the longest book I’d ever read. While I still remember enjoying it, I’ve read so many more enjoyable books and find a new favorite at least 3 times a year. Short answer: NO.

You mention on your website that you enjoy musical theater, but do you enjoy musical theatre?

If it is theatre, and there is music, I’m all about it!

Ever want to be up there on the stage?

So long as I don’t have to audition, absolutely! My anxiety will not let me audition.

Since you obviously like music, care to share some of your favorite artists ?

Much like a favorite book, it is almost easier to tell you those I don’t like. I like powerful voices and beautiful lyrics. If there’s a beat I can dance to, even better.

Well then, what don’t you like?

Not a big fan of opera and country music.

Are you ready for the lightning round?

No, but bring—
To late.
Favorite city?
New Orleans or Las Vegas
Two fun places. Jeopardy or Wheel of Fortune?
Childhood ruined by making me choose! As an adult, Jeopardy.
If someone yells, “Serenity now!” do you laugh?
Probably, because I have none, but I feel like I missed the joke.
Favorite animated show?
I always loved Animaniacs and Scooby Doo. Favorite animated movie is probably Anastasia (Has to be a musical).
Food that you don’t like but will eat?
Peppers
Green, red, yellow, chili, jalapenos, etc?
It’s a texture thing. If they’re chopped up, especially jalapenos, I will eat them in almost anything.
Sunrise or sunset?
East coast, sunrise. West Coast, sunset.

Time’s up. FYI, the “Serenity now” is a Seinfeld reference.

Yep, lost on me!

This has been a pleasure. Thanks for chatting. Any links you want to share?

All my social media links are in my linktree: https://linktr.ee/bisabelwrites

My website is https://bisabewrites.com

What I’m working on next:

I have a children’s picture adventure book coming out later this year that is written in verse.I also have a fantasy novel I’m preparing to run through the first round of edits. The will be out either late 2023 or early 2024. It’s a coming-of-age story with mythology, dragons, and shadow demons.I hope to release another poetry book next year.

*Am I kidding? Yeah, but I have been using the concern about AI created content to my advantage:

Free Book Friday March 3: In Conversation with ChatGPT

Free Book Friday June 30: Interview. Commence.

Featured Author: P.R. Adams

The story behind Free Book Friday:

I’ve met many authors and readers during my time marketing, cross-promoting, and blogging. I think writers have a responsibility to inform readers about all the indie authors out there in the very crowded world of book publishing. You can’t do it alone, and why would you when you have a supportive group available?

Readers don’t just read one author – they stick with their favorite genres. Therein lies the power in cross-promotion. If one of my readers buys a book from an author I promote, then chances are there will be a reciprocal effect, or so is the hope. Do I want to boost sales? Of course I do. Do I want to boost other’s sales? Why not. It’s called karma.

Some free book offers require a newsletter sign-up, which is a small non-monetary price to pay to try out a new indie author.

Here are this week’s promos to check out:

Reads From StoryOrigin and BookFunnel

StoryOrigin and BookFunnel allows authors to advertise their books to each other’s audience. I hope you have been able to discover a new favorite!

Free Books

Almost Free Books

Kindle Unlimited

Review Copies

Review copies: Like reviewing books? Try my two poetry collections: Lines by Leon and A Wonder of Words

Leon Stevens is a multi-genre author, composer, guitarist, songwriter, and an artist, with a Bachelor of Music and Education. He published his first book of poetry, Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures in January 2020, followed by a book of original classical guitar compositions, Journeys, and a short story collection of science fiction/post-apocalyptic tales called The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories. His newest publications are the novella trilogy, The View from Here, which is a continuation of one of his short stories, and a new collection of poetry titled, A Wonder of Words.

My new book page: http://books.linesbyleon.com/